GTA politicians
are impatient to start designing, building and opening new transit
lines. Riders are more than ready too -- but it’s our job to make
sure improvements to the GTA’s lagging transport grid are done
right, and that there is sufficient funding to pay for it all.
Thankfully, this newfound momentum toward construction is
accompanied by an unprecedented degree of public consultation.
If you don’t
want to complain about a poorly conceived transit project when it’s
too late, then get ready to do a little homework and speak up.
As soon as next
week, public information meetings will begin for a major express bus
route across Mississauga and for Toronto’s “Transit City” light rail
network -- first to be discussed is a line on Sheppard Avenue,
followed soon by Finch and Eglinton Avenues. Many decisions about
these projects have already been made but you’d be surprised how a
design can improve when members of the public ask good questions.
Even as these
plans get moving, there is at last a chance to talk about the next
evolution of greater Toronto’s entire transportation network. The
board of the GTA planning agency Metrolinx is pressing for action
(after all, most are politicians eager to impress voters in the next
election) but not before going through the most extensive public
input process this megalopolis has ever seen.
It’s not that
politics won’t heavily influence the final Regional Transportation
Plan -- which Metrolinx expects to present later this year -- but
many more eyes will be on the decision makers when they finally
approve a construction and funding strategy.
The window for
early input is closing very soon, so sign up at metrolinx.com. If
you prefer to see something more concrete before commenting -- such
as specific lines in your area -- that opportunity will open fairly
quickly over the next few months, both online and at open houses
slated for Hamilton, Oakville, Brampton, Newmarket, Toronto and
Whitby.
For people who
want more than traditional public meetings, visit
metronauts.ca
to
discover a series of “unconferences” sanctioned by Metrolinx. Based
on last year’s inspiring “Transit Camp”, the first scheduled
Metronauts event takes place this Saturday in downtown Toronto, with
more planned for the wider GTA. Participants do not have to live in
416 or even be transit riders to attend these events -- in fact the
organizers are hoping for the widest slice of opinions possible. I
plan to be there, and I’m told a few spots remain if you register at
metronauts.ca.
Some additional movement toward greater public input:
GO Transit is
readying its proposed Customer Service Advisory Committee, and
Oakville commuter Pat Eales says she intends to take part. She
presented a massive petition to GO last month and will ensure her
fellow customers know when and how they can apply for this
committee.
Tip: Museum station -- with its new columns and walls -- will be
ready for the public on Tuesday April 8.